October 16th, 2022 Attention NANPA Members
If you are currently a NANPA member who enjoys and benefits from your membership and would like to see the organization grow and improve, please contact me via e-mail on a matter of urgent importance.
Homer IPT Multiple Trip Discounts Increased
Save $1,500.00 by doing back-to-back trips. Save $2500 by doing all three trips. Please e-mail for couples’ discount info.
On Getting Better
Consider joining me on a BIRDS AS ART Instructional Photo-Tour (IPT). The DeSoto, San Diego, Homer, and the yet-to-be announced July 2023 Jacksonville and July 2024 Galapagos Photo-Cruise of a Lifetime all offer the opportunity for you to dramatically improve your skills both in the field and at the computer and to make some astounding images as well. Click here and see which IPT might be best for you.
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All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK
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2023 Homer/Kachemak Bay Bald Eagle IPTs
IPT #1: MON 20 FEB 2023 through the full day on FRI 24 FEB 2023. Five full days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 3.
IPT #2: SAT 25 FEB 2023 through the full day on THURS 2 MAR 2023. Six full days/24 hours on the boat: $6600.00. Limit 5 photographers/Openings: 3.
IPT #3: FRI 3 MAR 2023 through the full day on TUES 7 MAR 2023. Five full days/20 hours on the boat: $5500.00. Limit 5 photographers. Openings: 2.
Save $1,500.00 by doing back-to-back trips. Save $2500 by doing all three trips.
These trips feature non-stop flight photography as well as many opportunities to create both environmental and point-blank portraits of one of North America’s most sought-after avian subjects: Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Other reliable subjects will include Sea Otter, Glaucous-winged and Short-billed (formerly Mew) Gulls.
In addition, we should see Common Murre, Black Guillemot, Pelagic Cormorant, two or three species of loons, and a smattering of ducks including two species of merganser, all three scoters, Common and Barrow’s Goldeneyes, Bufflehead, Harlequin, and Long-tailed Ducks. Close-range photographic chances for these species will require a ton of good luck. Some of these species, especially when in flocks, can, however, often be used effectively when creating bird-scapes.
If we need to be out early, we will be the first boat out. If conditions are great, we will stay out. And when there is a chance for sunset silhouettes, we will stay out and be in the right spot.
We will be traveling through gorgeous wilderness country; landscape and scenic opportunities abound.
Also featured is a professional leader, often referred to as the world’s most knowledgeable bird photography trip leader, who is conversant in Canon, Nikon, and Sony.
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All images from Kachemak Bay in 2022!
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What You Will Learn
You will learn practical and creative solutions to everyday photographic problems. You will learn to see the shot, to create dynamic images by fine-tuning your compositions, to best utilize your camera’s AF system, and how to analyze the wind, the sky conditions, and the direction and quality of the light. This is one of the very few trips Homer trips available where you will not be simply put on the birds and told to have fun. You will learn to be a better photographer. But only if that is what you want.
You will learn to get the right exposure when it is sunny, when it cloudy-bright, when it is cloudy, when it is cloudy-dark, or when it is foggy. Not to mention getting the right exposure when creating silhouettes.
You will learn to make pleasing blurs working in manual mode and to create silhouettes working in Shutter Priority mode.
Most importantly you will learn to pick your best flight images from tens of thousands of images.
You will enjoy working with the two best and most creative boat captains on their sturdy, photography-spacious, seaworthy, open-deck crafts.
The second and third IPTs are the only Bald Eagle workshops that feature an incredibly helpful first mate.
Only five photographers (not the usual six), plus the leader.
Small group Photoshop, Image Review, and Image Critiquing sessions.
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All images from Homer or Kachemak Bay, AK
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What’s Included
One four hour or two two-hour boat trips every day (weather permitting), all boat fees and boat-related expenses (excluding tips), ground transportation to and from the dock and back to the hotel each day, in-the-field instruction and guidance, pre-trip gear advice, small group post-processing and image review sessions, and a thank you dinner for all well-behaved participants.
What’s Not Included
Your airfare to and from Homer, AK (via Anchorage), the cost of your room at Land’s End Resort, all personal items, all meals and beverages, and tips for the boat captain and/or the first mate.
Please Note
On great days, the group may wish to photograph for more than four hours. If the total time on the boat exceeds 20 hours for the five-day trips, or 24 hours for the second trip, the group will share the additional expense at a rate of $225/hour.
Some folks may wish to rent their own vehicle to take advantage of local photographic opportunities around Homer.
Deposit Information
A $3000 non-refundable deposit/trip is required. You may pay your deposit with credit card or by personal check (made out to BIRDS AS ART) and sent via US mail only to Arthur Morris. PO Box 7245. Indian Lake Estates, FL 33855. Your balance, due 90 days before the date of departure, is payable only by check as above.
In Closing
I have been going to Homer off and on for close to two decades. Every trip has been nothing short of fantastic. Many folks go in mid-March. The earlier you go, the better the chances for snow. The only way to assure that you are on the best of the three trips is to sign up for all three. Can you keep up with me? If you have any questions, or are good to go for one, two, or all three trips, please let me know via e-mail or give me a call on my cell phone at 863-221-2372.
What’s Up?
Take a look at today’s three features images and leave a comment letting us know which of those you feel is the strongest. While each image is sharp and technically perfect, I have a clear choice as to which one is the most pleasing artistically. What do you think?
I drove down to the lake on Saturday morning. The pools that formed as a result of the flooding from Hurricane Ian have attracted several species of shorebirds in addition to the dozen or so Greater Yellowlegs that were present for a few days after the storm. Present yesterday were well more than a dozen Common Snipe, three Pectoral Sandpipers, and half a dozen fly-by Semipalmated Sandpipers. The pectorals were new for me at Indian Lake Estates. I still have lots to do to get ready for ready for my trip to OKC next Thursday.
I was glad to learn yesterday that Monte Brown sold most of his Canon EF and Rf lenses within hours of listing. He still has a Canon R6 for sale at a great price. I was glad to learn that Charlie Curry will be joining us on the 3rd Homer IPT. Best to sign up soon if you would like to make this incredible trip.
Today is Sunday 16 October 2022.I will wake at 4:30am and head back to Sebastian Inlet in search of migrating schools of mullet and other baitfish. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took about an hour to prepare and makes two hundred-four days in a row with a new one.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
Iceland
My decades-long dream of spending time with the puffins on Grimsey Island, Iceland — 13 days in this case!, will be realized this coming July. If anyone else would like information on the world’s greatest Iceland/Atlantic Puffin trip this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.
Instagram
Follow me on Instagram here. I am trying to feature both new and old images, especially images that have not appeared recently on the blog. Or search for birds_as_art.
BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)
Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.
Induro GIT 304L Price Drop
Amazingly, we have two, brand-new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock. They are $699.00 each (were $799.00) and the price now includes the insured ground shipping to the lower 48 states. Weekday phone orders only: 863-692-0906. Order yours here while they last.
Is Larger-in-the-Frame Always Better?
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This image was created on 26 February 2021 at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. While crouching, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 121mm) and the Sony a9 II (now replaced by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.) The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb wheel. ISO 800. 1/1600 sec. at f/3.2 (stopped down 1/3 stop). AWB at 1:36:06pm on a cloudy afternoon.
Expand Flexible Spot AF/C performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Bald Eagle juvenile bird-scape
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The 70-200mm Lenses in Homer
The 70-200mm lenses, especially the f/2.8 versions, are always my most valuable lens on a Homer IPT. Alone, the offer great light gathering capabilities, always a huge plus on cloudy days. At the long end, the 4X magnification is great for the diving eagles that often surround the boat. On brighter days, they perform superbly with either the 1.4X or 2X TCs. The latter was used to create today’s Image #3. The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G OSS II lens is the best I have ever had my hands on.
For this image I was 21.5 feet from the subject working at 121mm.
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This image was created on 25 February 2021 at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK. While standing, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 165mm) and the Sony a9 II (now replaced by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.) The exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the thumb wheel. ISO 800. 1/2000 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1 2/3 stops). AWB at 3:57:29pm a cloudy bright afternoon.
Expand Flexible Spot AF/C performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Bald Eagle juvenile — whole bird facing portrait
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Bigger in the Frame
When I first began photographing birds nearly forty years ago, I did my best to come as close as possible to filling the fame with the bird, It took me a few years to realize that for artistic reasons, you need to give the bird lots of room in the frame. Had I opted to get closer or zoom in further, this image would not have been very pleasing.
For this one I was 17 feet from the subject working at 165mm.
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This image was also created on 25 February 2021 at Kachemak Bay, Homer, AK.. Seated on the snow, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter (at 280mm) and the Sony a9 II (now replaced by The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.) ISO 800. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/2000 sec. at f/4.5 (stopped down 1/3-stop). AWB at 3:56:20pm on a cloudy afternoon.
Expand Flexible Spot AF/C performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #3: Bald Eagle juvenile head and shoulders portrait
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The Head and Shoulders Portraits
I freely admit to being a head hunter when it comes to bird photography. I love making tight images that reveal details of a bird’s head, face, and neck. Implied is that you have excellent field skills and have earned the bird’s trust in allowing you to got so close. In addition, you often feel as if you can ascertain a bit of a given bird’s personality.
For this image I was 15 feet from the subject working at 280mm. Yes, the eagles at Homer are quite tame and are comfortable around the folks who are feeding them herring.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
October 15th, 2022 What’s Up?
Not much. It has been all work, no play for me since I got home from the second DeSoto IPT as I get ready for my trip to OKC next Thursday.
Today is Saturday 15 October 2022. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took less about five hours hours to prepare and makes two hundred-three days a row with a new one.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
Iceland
My decades-long dream of spending time with the puffins on Grimsey Island, Iceland — 13 days in this case!, will be realized this coming July. If anyone else would like information on the world’s greatest Iceland/Atlantic Puffin trip this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.
Instagram
Follow me on Instagram here. I am trying to feature both new and old images, especially images that have not appeared recently on the blog. Or search for birds_as_art.
BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)
Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.
Induro GIT 304L Price Drop
Amazingly, we have two, brand-new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock. They are $699.00 each (were $799.00) and the price now includes the insured ground shipping to the lower 48 states. Weekday phone orders only: 863-692-0906. Order yours here while they last.
OKC Photon 2022 INFO
I will be doing a Master Class entitled “A Bird Photographer’s Story” at OKC PhotoCon 2022 in Oklahoma City, OK on Saturday 22 October 2022. Check out the great line-up of speakers and programs here (and be sure to scroll down all the way). Check out the schedule here. I am really looking forward to seeing Joe McNally’s program, The Camera is a Visa – Around the Globe, on Friday (4:30 to 6:30pm). You can see some of his amazing, incredibly eclectic work here.
This big photographic event is sponsored by Bedfords. Click here to register ($119.99). Save $20.00 when registering by using the BAACLASS code at checkout.
OKC Photon 2022 Free Critique Offer
Folks who use the BAACLASS code at checkout are invited to set up a ten minute/ten-image critique with me on Friday or Saturday afternoon by contacting me in advance via e-mail. Whatever your favorite subject or genre, I’d love to see your best work. Many photographers do not realize that the principles that guide us are the same whether we like to shoot birds, wildlife, nature, food, people and portraiture, weddings, wars, sports, architecture, old buildings, old cars, or our grandchildren. A great photo is a great photo. Understand that I will evaluate each image as if it were my won. Once you have purchased your ticket, send it to me by e-mail and I will shoot you the additional details via return e-mail. I hope to meet you and see your best work in OKC.
New Listings
Canon EOS R5 with extra
Many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown is offering a Canon EOS R5 in excellent plus condition for a very low $2849.00. There is one small scratch on the body forward of the top LCD panel. Otherwise, the body and the rear monitor are near-mint with no scratches or imperfections. The sale includes the original box and everything that came in it, one extra battery, the charger, a Canon Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R (a $199.00 value, in excellent plus condition, and includes the caps and the pouch), and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Monte via e-mail.
I used an R5 for several months while writing the R5/R6 Camera User’s Guide. Here’s what I liked: The R5’s superb 45MP CR3 files handles large crops easily. The Menu is easy to navigate.The Face Detection plus Tracking technology (though not perfect) is superb. The Custom shooting modes (C1-C3) allow the user to save many items including and especially Customize Buttons, Customize Dials, and Shutter Mode settings. That makes the Custom shooting modes a huge plus for users who do not need to waste time fiddling around with various settings. With the R5, users can create in-camera High Dynamic Range (HDR) images with a slew of options. I love creating funky in-camera HDR images of birds in flight in cloudy-dark conditions. With the R5, users can create two different kinds of Multiple Exposures with zillions of options. One of three different Mount Adapters EF-EOS R enable folks to use their Canon EF lenses seamlessly with all of the great R5 features maintained. AF performance with the adapters and EF lenses is superb. artie
Canon EOS R6 with extra
Many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown is offering a Canon EOS R6 mirrorless camera body in near-mint condition for a very low 1949.00. The sale includes the original box and everything that came in it, two batteries, the charger, a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R (a $99.00 value — in excellent plus condition, and includes the caps and the pouch), and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Monte via e-mail.
The R6 is virtually identical to the R5 but for the 20 MP raw files and the smaller price tag. The Menu is easy to navigate.The Face Detection plus Tracking technology (though not perfect) is superb. The Custom shooting modes (C1-C3) allow the user to save many items including and especially Customize Buttons, Customize Dials, and Shutter Mode settings. That makes the Custom shooting modes a huge plus for users who do not need to waste time fiddling around with various settings. One of three different Canon Mount Adapters EF-EOS R enable folks to use their Canon EF lenses seamlessly with all of the great R6 features maintained. AF performance with the adapters and EF lenses is superb. artie
Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens with extra
Sale Pending within hours of listing
Many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown is offering a Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens in mint condition for a very low $2175.00. The sale includes the LensCoat that has protect the lens since day one, the original box and everything that came in it, the front and rear lens caps, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Monte via e-mail.
This versatile telephoto zoom lens pairs beautifully with either an R5 or an R6 four folks who will never own a $12K super telephoto lens. With its incredible minimum focusing distance it is great for flowers, butterflies, dragonflies, and the like. And it is a great lens for birds and birds in flight. artie
Canon Extender RF 1.4X (Teleconverter)
Sale Pending within hours of listing
Many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown is offering a Canon Extender RF 1.4x in excellent plus condition for a very low $375.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Monte via e-mail.
As regular readers know, TCs are so important to what I do that I always travel with three 1.4X teleconverters and two 2X teleconverters. (Note: they do fail on occasion.) artie
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM Lens with extra
BAA Record-low Price!
Sale Pending within hours of listing
Many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown is offering a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens in excellent condition for a BIRDS AS ART Record-Low $648.00. The sale includes the LensCoat that has protect the lens since day one, the original box and everything that came in it, the front and rear lens caps, the tripod ring, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.
Please contact Monte via e-mail
If you are shooting Canon Mirrorless and are considering the RF 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, understand that that lens does not accept any teleconverter, not an EF TC and not an RF TC. As I have said here often that is ridiculous. You’d be much better off with one of the EF versions to enjoy the true versatility of your 70-200.
The versatile 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses have long been big favorites of many nature photographers. They are great for landscapes especially with fall color peaking in many areas. I have used this lens with Canon and Nikon and SONY. I used my Canon version to photograph granddaughter Maya’s dance recitals and to create bird-scapes and pre-dawn blast-off blurs at Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico. They are fast and sharp and have 1000 uses. The 70-200 f/2.8 lenses are a specialty lens for bird photographers. Like the bad little child, when they are good, they are really, really good! I’ve used mine mostly for flight photography at point blank range where their performance is unmatched, especially in low light. I’ve killed with these lenses on the gannet boat in the UK, in Homer for eagles, for pre-dawn and blizzard blast-offs at Bosque, and at Merritt Island on feeding sprees right next to the road. Lenses in this class are easily hand holdable by just about everyone. artie
ps: To see what the 70-200 zoom lenses can do, see the blog post here.
Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM Lens with extra
Sale Pending within hours of listing
Many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown is offering a Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM lens in excellent condition for a very low $3699.00. The glass is clean and has no scratches or blemishes. The sale includes the LensCoat that has protect the lens since day one, the original box and everything that came in it, the front and rear lens caps, the tripod ring, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.
Please contact Monte via e-mail.
I owned and used and loved both versions of the 400 DO. In fact, I owned this very lens — Monte purchased it from me when I switched to Nikon. It is easily handhold-able by most folks and delivers sharp images with either TC. This lens with a Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R is deadly with all Canon mirrorless bodies. Though no longer in production, there are a very few new ones available for $6899.00. Save a very nice $3200.00 by grabbing Monte’s 400 DO II. artie
Canon Extender EF 1.4X II (Teleconverter)
Many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown is offering a Canon Extender EF 1.4X II (Teleconverter) in excellent condition for a very low $139.00. The sale includes the front and rear lens caps, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only. Your item will not ship until your check clears unless other arrangements are made.
Please contact Monte via e-mail.
As regular readers know, TCs are so important to what I do that I always travel with three 1.4X teleconverters and two 2X teleconverters. (Note: they do fail on occasion. artie
Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM Lens with extra
Sale Pending within hours of listing
Many multiple IPT veteran Monte Brown is offering a Canon EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM lens in excellent condition for a very low $4999.00 (was $5199.00). The glass is perfect with no scratches or blemishes. The sale includes the LensCoat that has protect the lens since day one, the original box and everything that came in it, the lens trunk, the lens strap, a replacement foot, the front lens cover, the rear lens cap, the lens pouch, and insured ground shipping via major courier to lower-48 US addresses only.
Please contact Monte via e-mail.
The 600mm f/4 lenses have been the state of the art super-telephotos for birds, nature, wildlife, and sports for many years. When I was using Canon and could get it to my location, my 600 II was always my go-to weapon. It is fast and sharp and deadly alone or with either TC. With a new 600 III going for $12,999 and used version 600 IIs hard to find, you’d do well to grab Monte’s lens ASAP. artie
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This image was created on 17 June 2008 22 at Bonaventure Island, Percé, Quebec, Canada. Working on a tripod, I used the M-3.6.1 Mongoose Gimbal Action Head-supported Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM lens and the oft-maligned Canon EOS-1D Mark III. ISO 400: 1/800 sec. at f/8 (sopped down two stops). AWB at 8:40:03am on a cloudy morning.
“Gannets in Love” — Northern Gannet pair courting
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Gannets in Love
Gannets in Love was created when I was co-leading a trip to Bonaventure Island 13 years ago. It seems much longer than that. Northern Gannets nest in huge colonies on both sides of the Atlantic. The largest range from 25,000 to 75,000 pairs. I have been privileged to visit the largest of those, Bass Rock, Scotland, on many occasions.
Gannets build nests of seaweed, plants, mud, and debris from the sea, usually atop coastal hillsides or cliffs. As the nests are only two to three feet apart, these gannetries are crowded places. And loud! Making an artistic photograph of a gannet nest in the muck is a near-impossible task. Unless you keep your eyes open.
The birds featured in Gannets in Love, probably a young pair, were building a nest on top of a viewing shelter. I saw a unique situation. After shortening one leg of my tripod, I set it up at the bottom of the stairs that led down to the shelter and began making images. My favorite image of the series caught a small bit of greenery in midair as one bird — usually but not always the male — passed nesting material to the other.
This image was was awarded first place in the “Professional Birds” category of the 2009 National Wildlife Federation contest, and first place in “Art in Nature” in the 2009 Nature’s Best contest. As those contests were judged earlier in the year than the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition (WPTOY), the image was still alive in the BBC contest which prohibits folks from entering images that were honored in other notable contests. I was hoping for a rarer-than-rare triple header. I was pissed when I learned that Gannets in Love did not even make the final round of judging in the WPOTY contest. And so it goes.
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Digitally-signed Fine Art Canvas prints of “Gannets in Love” are available in various sizes. Each print is skillfully produced by Canvas In Demand. Click here for sizes, pricing, and framing and additional information.
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Fine Art Traditional Photographic Prints
All BIRDS AS ART images, both film and digital, are available as signed traditional photographic prints in a great variety of sizes. You may purchase an unframed print of any BAA image that you see on the web site, in a Bulletin, or on the Blog. Click here for sizes, pricing, and additional information.
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birds as art: The Avian Photography of Arthur Morris/The Top 100
The companion e-book to the solo exhibit at TheNat, San Diego, California
The new e-book on CD is available here.
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birds as art: The Avian Photography of Arthur Morris/The Top 100
This e-book, created on a wing and a prayer in less than two weeks–see Harebrained Scheme here–includes the 67 spectacular images that hung in the Ordover Gallery at the San Diego Natural History Museum in a career-retrospective solo exhibition in 2017. In addition, there are an additional 33 images in the spectacular e-book that barely missed making the show.
This exhibition companion e-book makes it possible for everyone to “visit” TheNAT gallery retrospectively — and, in addition, to enjoy seeing my then-top one hundred bird photographs under one roof. Each image includes a title, the species name, the location, relevant EXIF data, and an anecdotal caption.
birds as art: The Avian Photography of Arthur Morris/The Top 100: $23 for the professionally produced CD (includes shipping to US addresses only)
Please click here to purchase the CD. As above, your purchase price includes shipping to all US addresses. If you would like your CD signed on the inside cover with a black Sharpie, you will need to place your order by phone and request a signed copy: 863-692-0906. For our Canadian friends we are offering the CD for $28 with shipping to Canada via phone orders only: 863-692-0906. Those who purchase the CD are advised to copy the file to their computers and then archive the CD.
To purchase via convenient download for $20, click here.
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The new e-book via is also available via convenient download for $20 by clicking here.
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birds as art: The Avian Photography of Arthur Morris/The Top 100: $20 via convenient download.
Overseas folks, and anyone else as well, can purchase the e-book via convenient download for $20 by clicking here.
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
October 14th, 2022 What’s Up?
Well before the sun rose on Thursday, there was a Great Horned Owl perched in the dead tree in front of my house. For the rest of the day, I worked, swam, walked, and caught up with last week’s NFL games on TIVO.
Today is Friday 14 October and there is still a ton of work to be done. I may head down to the lake early for a walk and to check things out. Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing, I hope that you too have a great day. This blog post took less about two hours to prepare and makes two hundred-two days a row with a new one.
Please remember to use the B&H and Amazon links that are found on most blog pages and to use the BIRDSASART discount code at checkout when purchasing your new gear from Bedfords to get 3% back on your credit card and enjoy free second-day air FedEx. Please, also, consider joining a BAA IPT. You will be amazed at how much you will learn!
Iceland
My decades-long dream of spending time on Grimsey Island, Iceland, with the puffins — 13 days in this case!, will be realized this coming July. If anyone would like information on the world’s greatest Iceland/Atlantic Puffin trip this coming July, please contact me via e-mail.
Instagram
Follow me on Instagram here. I am trying to feature both new and old images, especially images that have not appeared recently on the blog. Or search for birds_as_art.
BIRDS AS ART Image Optimization Service (BAA IOS)
Send a PayPal for $62.00 to birdsasart@verizon.net or call Jim at 863-692-0906 and put $62.00 on your credit card. Pick one of your best images and upload the raw file using a large file sending service like Hightail or DropBox and then send me the link via e-mail. I will download and save your raw file, evaluate the exposure and sharpness, and optimize the image as if it were my own after converting the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw. Best of all, I will make a screen recording of the entire process and send you a link to the video to download, save and study.
Induro GIT 304L Price Drop
Amazingly, we have two, brand-new-in-the-box Induro GIT 304L tripods in stock. They are $699.00 each (were $799.00) and the price now includes the insured ground shipping to the lower 48 states. Weekday phone orders only: 863-692-0906. Order yours here while they last.
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Brand-New and As-Good-As-Ever Bedfords BAA Discount Policy
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Money Saving Reminder
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Gear Questions and Advice
Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of photographers whom I see in the field and on BPN, are — out of ignorance — using the wrong gear, especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads. And the same is true in spades when ordering new camera bodies or lenses. My advice will often save you some serious money and may help you avoid making a seriously bad choice. Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail. If you are desperate, you can try me on my cell at 863-221-2372. Please leave a message and shoot me a text if I do not pick up.
What to do at Sebastian with no Diving Ospreys
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This image was created on 12 October 2022 at Sebastian Inlet, FL. I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens (at 112mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. The exposure was determined via Zebras with Exposure Compensation on the thumb dial. Multi-metering +2 1/3 stops; AUTO ISO set ISO 2000: 1/250 sec. at f/2.8 (wide open) in Shutter Priority mode. AWB at 7:04:13am, about 15 minutes before sunrise.
Tracking: Spot S AF/C (with Bird-Eye/Face Detection) performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #1: Pre-dawn cloud-scape
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Plan on Arriving Early with a 70-200 Lens
The forecast had been for totally cloudy at sunrise. But I never believe them, so I arrived at 6:30 for the 7:20am sunrise. As no early color had materialized, I set up the 600 with the a1 on the tripod, stuck the 70-200mm f/2.8 and the 24-105mm in my Xtra-hand Vest, and headed out. It took a while for the color to max out. As the colors became more vivid, I mounted the a1 on the 70-200 and went to work. As the color was restricted to a small area of the sky and because there was a boat anchored in just the wrong place, I never thought of grabbing the short zoom. Note, however, that I could have used it at 112mmm and created a very similar image. Given the choice, however, I consider the 70-200 f/2.8 II GM OSS lens to be sharper than the 24-105mm G OSS lens.
The versatile 70-200 lenses are excellent for landscapes.
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This image was created on 12 October 2022 at Sebastian Inlet, FL. Crouching a bit, I used the hand held Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II lens with the Sony FE 2x Teleconverter (at 400mm) and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera.. ISO 2000. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/3200 sec. at f/5.6 (wide open). AWB at 8:46:54am on a then cloudy morning.
Tracking: Zone AF/C with Bird-Eye/Face Detection performed perfectly. Click on the image to enjoy a high-res version.
Image #2: Wood Stork looking down — head portrait
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Wood Storks at Sebastian Inlet
Wood Stork are all over the place at Sebastian. They are almost always very reliable and just a bit skittish, but often require a careful approach with long focal length lenses. On Wednesday, they were very mellow and allowed me to get uncharacteristically close with little effort. I walked back to my vehicle, grabbed the 70-200 with the 2X TC and an a1, and went to work looking for pleasing backgrounds.
Preparedness Question
With the 70-200/2X rig, I could have made sharp images at shutter speeds as slow as 1/250 second or less. Why was I set up at 1/3200 sec. when photographing a relatively static subject?
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This image was created on 12 October 2022 at Sebastian Inlet. Standing on full height, I used the handheld Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM OSS lens and The One, the Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless digital camera. ISO 640. Exposure was determined via Zebras with ISO on the rear dial: 1/8000 sec. at f/4 (wide open). AWB at 10:42:91am on a variably sunny, hazy morning.
Tracking: Zone/AF-C was active at the moment of exposure and performed perfectly. Be sure to click on the image to enjoy the larger version.
Image #3: Adult nonbreeding Caspian Tern in flight
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Back-up Subjects
Like the Wood Storks, the terns, gulls, and Brown Pelicans that patrol the inlet often give you something to photograph when the Ospreys are not diving. Though there was bait around and more than a few Ospreys, they dove for fish only rarely. Royal Tern is seen most often and there are almost always a few Forster’s Terns around as well. The larger Caspian Terns do not occur regularly. There were two circling around as the tide came in. The 600mm focal length was perfect for them as the turned toward me into the very faint breeze from the east/southeast.
Caspian are as large as Herring Gulls, are much bulkier than the royals, and often fly with their bills pointed downwards. The royals fly with their bills pointed straight ahead.
David Sibley Says
In The Sibley Guide to Birds, 2nd Edition (Sibley Guides), David Allen Sibley writes:
Caspian: Heavier, broader-winged, shorter-tailed, and more gull-like than Royal. Neck and bill thicker. More dark under primaries. Dark red bills with dusky tips.
Royal: Slender and long-winged, bill long and rather heavy. Streamlined and sleek, with powerful direct flight. Limited dark under primaries. Bright orange-red bill never as dark red as many Caspians).
Note that the bill of the Caspian Tern in Image #3 is uncharacteristically more orange than deep red.
The publication of The Sibley Guide to Birds, First Edition, quickly established David Allen Sibley as the author and illustrator of the nation’s supreme and most comprehensive guide to birds. Used by millions of birders from novices to the most expert, The Sibley Guide became the standard by which natural history guides are measured. The highly anticipated second edition builds on this foundation of excellence, offering massively expanded and updated information, new paintings, new and rare species, and a new, elegant design.
I consult my First Edition Sibley almost every day when I am at home. While working on this blog post, I just ordered a new copy of the Second Edition 🙂
Typos
With all blog posts, feel free to e-mail or to leave a comment regarding any typos or errors.
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